Dhaka: The World Health Organization (WHO) says cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the world's number one killers, claiming 17.5 million lives a year globally.

In the WHO South-East Asia Region, which groups 11 countries including Bangladesh, cardiovascular diseases cause an estimated 3.7 million deaths annually, or one fourth of all deaths. One third of these deaths from cardiovascular diseases is premature and occurs among those aged less than 70 years.

‘The good news is that the majority of premature deaths due to cardiovascular disease can be prevented through simple measures, such as consuming a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and by managing stress,’ says WHO's Regional Director for South East Asia, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.

In a message on the occasion of the World Heart Day, Dr Poonam urges all sectors of government and society to create heart-friendly environments and provide heart-healthy choices for all individuals, where they live, work and play.

Examples of heart friendly environments, she says, may include the availability of healthy food, smoke-free zones and avenues for physical activity that should be available in public spaces, schools, workplaces and communities.

WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr N Paranietharan says Bangladesh has a mortality of 179 per 100,000 populations under 70 years age among men and 152 per 100,000 in women from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). ‘This gives us a clue that CVDs have a large potential of preventability,’ he said.

Dr Paranie suggested for consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as food with low salt and saturated fat to minimize risks of high blood pressure and associated diseases.

He also underscored the need for effective utilization of primary healthcare and engagement of non-health sectors at the upazila level to face the challenge.

According to WHO, heart disease among women, which remains under-recognized and under-treated, needs to be taken into account seriously.

In south-east Asia, exposure to household air pollution from using solid fuels for cooking substantially increases the risk of heart diseases for women. Almost 60 percent of households in the Region use solid fuels as a primary source for cooking.

The WHO Region for South-East Asia has, however, set a target for reducing premature mortality from cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25 percent within 2025 and has developed a regional action plan to achieve this target.

A cohesive action and collaboration is also needed beyond the health sector to reduce women's risk of cardiovascular diseases, WHO observes.

The World Heart Day is observed each year on 29 September to aware and intensifies actions for effectively addressing the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases across the globe. This year's theme is ‘Healthy heart choices for everyone everywhere’.